Wheelchair that Converts to a Gym

posted on Apr 21 by Admin in the Disability News, Health, Healthcare, Interesting Links, Technology, Wheelchair Accessibility, Wheelchair Sports, Wheelchair Technology category

The new Exercise Wheelchair offers wheelchair users another alternative to assist them in maintaining their independence. NeuroGym Technologies released this new Exercise Wheelchair, making it the first of its kind to give an opportunity for wheelchair users to strengthen and increase their functional independence, all while getting the kind of cardiovascular workout that is essential for cardiac health and weight control without ever having to leave the wheelchair.

With over 3 million North Americans using wheelchairs, the need for a rehabilitative wheelchair has steadily grown over the years. In addition to chronic degenerative muscle control, wheelchair users face the effects of a sedentary life such as weight gain, muscle atrophy, and permanent nerve damage. Everyday tasks such as rolling over in bed, sitting up, and standing unassisted are essential in maintaining a person with disability’s independence.

The Exercise Wheelchair targets these areas to strengthen a user’s ability to complete these tasks without being so physically taxing. Using the variable tension and extension technology in the Exercise Wheelchair allows users to not only hold on to their current ability to assist their caregivers in transfers in and out of the wheelchair, but also gain new strength in important movement muscle areas of wheelchair users.

In addition to working as a standard manual wheelchair, the Exercise Wheelchair has slide out leg braces and resistance technology that offer wheelchair users strength training, range of motion, and cardiovascular workouts. The backrest and seat of the Exercise Wheelchair turn into a variable resistance flexion and extension machine, while the special leg apparatus that’s stored under the wheelchair itself is easily accessed to concentrate the workout on lower extremities.

Invented by a physiotherapist to specifically target major muscle groups affected by long-term use of a wheelchair, the Exercise Wheelchair from NeuroGym is approved for use in all long term care and nursing facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and at home.

Source: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/The-Wheelchair-That-Turns-Into-a-Gym-1425347.htm